Staff report

CHARLOTTE — Due to extenuating circumstances inflicted by Hurricane Florence and the re-scheduling challenges presented to several teams as a result of the storm, the CIAA has updated its football championship criteria for this season.

Instead of determining divisional champions based on a seven-game regular season composite schedule, a six-game criteria will be used to determine this year’s division champions who will then advance to participate in the CIAA championship game on Nov. 10.

The updated criteria for this year only will include one cross-division game and teams’ full divisional schedule, for games between Sept. 29-Nov. 3.

The Blue Bears’ 30-0 win over Lincoln on Sept. 22 has now been deemed as non-conference. Therefore, the standings adjustment has Livingstone now 0-3 in the CIAA. The Blue Bears’ overall record remains the same at 2-4.

After starting the season 2-1, Livingstone has lost three straight games, the last two coming at home — St. Augustine’s (26-15) and Shaw (37-28).

Livingstone has three games left in the season, all on the road. On Saturday, the Blue Bears take on Winston-Salem State at Bowman Gray Stadium at 1:30 p.m.

The Rams (3-3, 2-1 CIAA) celebrate Senior Day and Homecoming on Saturday.

W-S State has used three different quarterbacks almost equally, including senior Rod Tinsley Jr. But the Rams’ top offensive threat is running back Kerrion Moore, who has rushed for 533 yards and 11 touchdowns.

In last season’s 42-14 WSSU win over Livingstone in Salisbury, Moore ran for 100 yards on just six carries.

Coach Daryl Williams’ Blue Bears are led by freshman quarterback Miles Hayes, who has thrown for 982 yards and 10 TDs. Hayes’ favorite target has been senior receiver Everett Ransom —31 receptions for 405 yards.

Hayes passed for 234 yards and three scores last week against Shaw, but left with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Backups Xavier Longerbeam and Alexis Archie both saw action after Hayes’ injury and it’s not clear who will start this week.

W-S State has won 15 straight games against Livingstone, which hasn’t won in this series since 1998. The Blue Bears would love to end that streak on Saturday.